Do you know how your natural teeth are attached to the jawbone? Each tooth is suspended by fine fibres called the periodontal ligament (PDL), which allow just enough flexibility when you chew, absorb pressure, and maintain the tooth’s vitality. A tooth implant , however, works differently. Instead of fibres, it fuses directly with the bone through a process known as osseointegration. This bond is so strong that, when done correctly, an implant can withstand chewing forces equal to those of a natural tooth - if not more. This single fact explains why implants are widely regarded as the closest possible replacement to a real tooth.
So what really happens when you lose a tooth? Beyond the visible gap in your smile, the absence of a root sets off changes beneath the surface. The bone in that region begins to shrink because it is no longer being stimulated. Over time, this leads to a sagging of the overlying skin and muscles, giving the face a prematurely aged appearance. The first truth about implants is
that they don’t just restore the tooth you see above the gums - they replace the root below.
By acting as an artificial root, the implant prevents bone loss and helps maintain natural facial contours. Once it integrates with the bone, it becomes the foundation for a custom crown that restores chewing, speech, and appearance. This is why patients who choose implants often say they feel like they have regained their natural teeth, not just a replacement.
Another important truth lies in the material itself. Have you ever wondered what implants are made of? They are not simple screws. Implants are crafted from titanium, a metal renowned for its biocompatibility - meaning the body readily accepts it. In most cases, commercially pure Grade 4 titanium is used, offering strength and ease of integration. In more demanding cases, alloys such as Grade 5 (titanium mixed with aluminium and vanadium) are preferred because they provide superior mechanical strength and fatigue resistance. Some advanced systems even use the newer titanium alloys like Roxolid , developed to combine strength with flexibility.
Why does this matter? Because these materials ensure that the implant remains stable under years of chewing stress. In fact, when maintained well, implants are capable of lasting a lifetime, making them one of the most durable investments in oral health.
Many patients ask: “Can it be done in one sitting?” The reality is that implant treatment is a carefully staged journey - but the timeline can vary depending on the individual. In some cases, especially when the bone is healthy and conditions are favourable, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction, and a temporary crown given on the same day. This is often referred to as immediate loading. However, even in such scenarios, there are still multiple stages involved: assessment, surgical placement, healing, and eventual placement of the permanent crown. In other cases, where the bone or gums require additional preparation, the process is spread across several months to ensure predictable, long-term success.
What about patients who have lost bone already? Is it the end of the road for them? This is where modern dentistry has changed the narrative. Today, bone grafting and sinus lifts can rebuild and strengthen the foundation before an implant is placed. In other cases, newer techniques such as short or angled implants can adapt to the available bone. In advanced
scenarios, specialist solutions like zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone allow even patients with extensive bone loss to benefit from implants. The fourth truth, therefore, is that very few people are truly unsuitable for implants when modern solutions and expert planning are applied.
Finally, it is important to remember that success does not end once the crown is placed. In fact, this is where the patient’s role becomes most significant. Have you considered how lifestyle affects healing? Smoking, for instance, reduces blood supply to tissues and interferes with bone integration , increasing the risk of implant failure. Poor oral hygiene can do the same, leading to inflammation around the implant, known as peri-implantitis.
On the other hand, patients who maintain disciplined oral care - daily brushing, flossing, and regular professional check-ups - enjoy implant survival rates of over 90-95% even after decades. In many ways, an implant is not just a treatment but a partnership between dentist and patient. The clinician provides the expertise and precision, but the patient’s care ensures that the restoration remains functional and healthy for years to come.
A dental implant, therefore, is far more than a prosthetic tooth. It is a scientifically engineered replacement root that fuses with the bone, preserves facial structure, and restores confidence. It is also a reminder that in dentistry, as in health, success comes from both technology and discipline.
(By Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Vimal Arora , CCO, Clove Dental )
So what really happens when you lose a tooth? Beyond the visible gap in your smile, the absence of a root sets off changes beneath the surface. The bone in that region begins to shrink because it is no longer being stimulated. Over time, this leads to a sagging of the overlying skin and muscles, giving the face a prematurely aged appearance. The first truth about implants is
that they don’t just restore the tooth you see above the gums - they replace the root below.
By acting as an artificial root, the implant prevents bone loss and helps maintain natural facial contours. Once it integrates with the bone, it becomes the foundation for a custom crown that restores chewing, speech, and appearance. This is why patients who choose implants often say they feel like they have regained their natural teeth, not just a replacement.
Another important truth lies in the material itself. Have you ever wondered what implants are made of? They are not simple screws. Implants are crafted from titanium, a metal renowned for its biocompatibility - meaning the body readily accepts it. In most cases, commercially pure Grade 4 titanium is used, offering strength and ease of integration. In more demanding cases, alloys such as Grade 5 (titanium mixed with aluminium and vanadium) are preferred because they provide superior mechanical strength and fatigue resistance. Some advanced systems even use the newer titanium alloys like Roxolid , developed to combine strength with flexibility.
Why does this matter? Because these materials ensure that the implant remains stable under years of chewing stress. In fact, when maintained well, implants are capable of lasting a lifetime, making them one of the most durable investments in oral health.
Many patients ask: “Can it be done in one sitting?” The reality is that implant treatment is a carefully staged journey - but the timeline can vary depending on the individual. In some cases, especially when the bone is healthy and conditions are favourable, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction, and a temporary crown given on the same day. This is often referred to as immediate loading. However, even in such scenarios, there are still multiple stages involved: assessment, surgical placement, healing, and eventual placement of the permanent crown. In other cases, where the bone or gums require additional preparation, the process is spread across several months to ensure predictable, long-term success.
What about patients who have lost bone already? Is it the end of the road for them? This is where modern dentistry has changed the narrative. Today, bone grafting and sinus lifts can rebuild and strengthen the foundation before an implant is placed. In other cases, newer techniques such as short or angled implants can adapt to the available bone. In advanced
scenarios, specialist solutions like zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone allow even patients with extensive bone loss to benefit from implants. The fourth truth, therefore, is that very few people are truly unsuitable for implants when modern solutions and expert planning are applied.
Finally, it is important to remember that success does not end once the crown is placed. In fact, this is where the patient’s role becomes most significant. Have you considered how lifestyle affects healing? Smoking, for instance, reduces blood supply to tissues and interferes with bone integration , increasing the risk of implant failure. Poor oral hygiene can do the same, leading to inflammation around the implant, known as peri-implantitis.
On the other hand, patients who maintain disciplined oral care - daily brushing, flossing, and regular professional check-ups - enjoy implant survival rates of over 90-95% even after decades. In many ways, an implant is not just a treatment but a partnership between dentist and patient. The clinician provides the expertise and precision, but the patient’s care ensures that the restoration remains functional and healthy for years to come.
A dental implant, therefore, is far more than a prosthetic tooth. It is a scientifically engineered replacement root that fuses with the bone, preserves facial structure, and restores confidence. It is also a reminder that in dentistry, as in health, success comes from both technology and discipline.
(By Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. Vimal Arora , CCO, Clove Dental )
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